Truvada – WWAY TV3http://www.wwaytv3.com
Covering Local News, Weather and Sports in Wilmington, NCFri, 09 Dec 2016 17:04:10 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.6.199503049FDA approves first pill to help prevent HIVhttp://www.wwaytv3.com/2012/07/16/fda-approves-first-pill-to-help-prevent-hiv/
http://www.wwaytv3.com/2012/07/16/fda-approves-first-pill-to-help-prevent-hiv/#commentsWed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first drug shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection, a milestone in the 30-year battle against the virus that causes AIDS.

The agency approved Gilead Sciences’ pill Truvada as a preventive measure for people who are at high risk of acquiring HIV, such as those who have sex with HIV-infected partners.

Gilead Sciences Inc. has marketed Truvada since 2004 as a treatment for people who are infected with the virus.

But company studies have shown the drug can prevent people from contracting HIV when used as a precautionary measure. A three-year study found that daily doses cut the risk of infection in healthy gay and bisexual men by 42 percent, when accompanied by condoms and counseling.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://www.wwaytv3.com/2012/07/16/fda-approves-first-pill-to-help-prevent-hiv/feed/339723Drug stops HIV spread among heterosexual couples, not just gayshttp://www.wwaytv3.com/2011/07/13/drug-stops-hiv-spread-among-heterosexual-couples-not-just-gays/
http://www.wwaytv3.com/2011/07/13/drug-stops-hiv-spread-among-heterosexual-couples-not-just-gays/#commentsWed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000ATLANTA (AP) – Experts are calling it a breakthrough for Africa in its effort to fight back against AIDS.

Two studies in Africa have found that an AIDS drug that was already shown to help prevent the spread of the virus in gay men also works for heterosexual men and women.

The drug is Truvada, which is already on pharmacy shelves to treat people with HIV. It’s made by a California company, Gilead Sciences.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which gave advice last fall for use of the drug among gays, is now developing guidance for heterosexuals in the United States.

But health officials around the world say it still isn’t clear what the impact of the drug will be. They say it’s not clear just how many people would want to take a pill every day to reduce their risk of HIV infection. And they wonder if it would make people become more sexually reckless.

Another issue is supply. The World Health Organization says 6.6 million people in Africa are now on AIDS drugs, but 9 million who are eligible for the treatment are on a waiting list.